CHENNAI: “I’m a believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it,” Thomas Jefferson had famously said. Orok Essien Orok adheres to that principle in real life. Denied the opportunity to sign for ISL side Atletico de Kolkata due to visa issues and missing out on a long term contract with East Bengal because of the ‘marquee player’ rule, the Nigerian still believes that his hard graft will be rewarded in the time to come.
“ATK had come calling after my stint with Mumbai FC in the I-League. My visa was set to expire in two weeks because of which the chance passed me by. I still retain faith that my performances will allow me that chance one more time,” he told Express.
Currently playing in the CFA Senior Division for Viva Chennai, the 24-year-old is enjoying his experience down south. “The football level,” he says, “is not as taxing as the one in Kolkata or Goa, but it is still competitive.” The food and language is a major deterrent but Orok feels these things are secondary to football. “I have seen a lot of hardships in life. Success is all I desire,” he comments.
A former member of the Nigerian U-20 squad, Orok came to India in 2011 to join George Telegraph SC in Kolkata. “Why India? Ranti Martins is my brother’s friend. We are from the same neighbourhood in Lagos. I used to follow his exploits and soon followed him to India,” he revealed.
His greatest football memory since 2011? “Playing for East Bengal as representative of India in the Sheikh Kamal Club Cup.” The tournament was an invitational meet comprising top clubs from South Asia. “I scored against Karachi Electric (Pakistan). We reached the final, but lost to Chittagong Abahani. I enjoyed linking up with Ranti as well as my first coach, Biswajit Bhattacharya,” Orok revealed.
